Chapter 12: A Dream of Huangliang

Not revealing his identity was, naturally, a consideration of his own.

While his massive spending of millions in Li Shuirui's livestream last night had certainly achieved a certain effect—even prompting her to take the initiative to strike up a conversation—it was undoubtedly unrealistic to think he could win her over through that alone.

The "Flower of the Arts Academy" was indeed somewhat materialistic, but that didn't mean she would abandon everything for money.

Setting others aside, her close friend Xu Siyi was a stark contrast to her.

At least Li Shuirui wouldn't easily accept favors from others, but what about that girl Xu Siyi?

She was utterly devoid of humanity, driven purely by self-interest.

Li Shuirui was his first target for conquest. If he failed, the ten trillion sitting in his account might remain nothing more than virtual numbers forever, so he could not afford to be careless or impulsive.

One cannot eat hot tofu in a hurry.

Jiang Chen cautioned himself.

This was not a simple dating game; it concerned his life and his future. Therefore, he could not rush for quick success; he had to build a solid foundation and plan his moves step by step.

————

"Move to another seat."

Monday morning.

Jiang Chen had a class.

As he was speaking with Bai Zheli, Ai Qian walked over with a book and stopped beside them.

"Why?"

Bai Zheli looked up.

Although he had treated her like a sister-in-law for a while, ever since "Brother Chen" had been dumped—and after witnessing her shameless behavior in treating him as a mere tool—his perception of this class beauty had plummeted, even reaching the point of hostility.

"I have something to say to Jiang Chen."

Ai Qian spoke with righteous indignation, her tone commanding.

Bai Zheli desperately wanted to snap at her to have some shame, but due to his personality and his desire to prevent Jiang Chen from being subjected to more rumors, he could only endure it and was forced to stand up and leave.

Ai Qian sat down with a triumphant air, setting her book down.

"Jiang Chen, are you trying to spite me?"

Class hadn't started yet.

Ai Qian turned her head and looked at her ex-boyfriend as if no one else were there.

She didn't care what the others in class said or thought; she had plenty of ways to shift the blame onto Jiang Chen.

And Jiang Chen always accepted it submissively, never fighting back.

"What do you mean by that?"

Jiang Chen wasn't angry; he spoke to her like an ordinary classmate. However, this very indifference caused Ai Qian to frown in displeasure, and at the same time, it only confirmed her suspicion that he was sulking.

"I know what happened the day before yesterday made you unhappy, but Zhenlun saw us. Given the situation, I can't think of any other excuse. Please don't blame me, okay?"

Just like countless times before, she began to act coquettishly.

Individual lives were indeed vastly different.

Though both were girls, Ai Qian and Li Shuirui had personalities that were poles apart.

When dealing with a poor person like Jiang Chen, Li Shuirui would meet him with cold disdain, unwilling to have even the slightest interaction. But Ai Qian was different.

Even with a boyfriend, she continued to tease Jiang Chen.

It was true that Jiang Chen was poor.

But it was also true that the kindness he had shown Ai Qian in the past was real.

It was precisely because of his single-minded devotion to her that he had earned the notorious reputation of a "simp."

Perhaps Ai Qian's current behavior stemmed from her inability to let go of the way Jiang Chen had treated her.

The human heart is always greedy.

One cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw, yet some people always insist on trying to grasp both.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was looking, Ai Qian reached under the table and placed her hand on Jiang Chen's thigh.

"Come on, don't be angry. I apologize to you. At worst, I'll treat you to dinner tonight."

Such behavior was out of line even for classmates, let alone the fact that Ai Qian was now "a woman with a husband."

Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Is he not at school again today?"

Ai Qian's face froze. She withdrew her hand awkwardly, her expression gradually shifting.

"Jiang Chen, what are you implying?"

"If he were at school, you wouldn't be thinking about having dinner with me, would you?"

Ai Qian was stunned, then realized that this young man, who had previously been so submissive to her, had suddenly become a stranger.

"...He isn't at school, but what does that have to do with me treating you to dinner? I truly want to apologize to you."

"There's no need."

Jiang Chen said calmly, "Since you chose him, stay with him properly. Don't do things that cause misunderstandings anymore."

"Jiang Chen, are you still angry with me?"

At this moment, Ai Qian felt extremely uncomfortable—deeply uncomfortable.

He had never spoken to her like this before.

"I know it was you who framed me, and it was my fault, which is why you went after Li Shuirui to get revenge on me."

She pressed her hand against Jiang Chen's thigh again.

"You're doing this just to provoke me and make me angry. I know I was wrong. I won't let Zhenlun find out again."

*Won't let him find out again.*

Not *won't frame him again.*

Jiang Chen laughed.

"I am pursuing Li Shuirui not because of you, but because I truly want to pursue her. So please, stop overthinking."

He pulled Ai Qian's hand away.

"Impossible!"

Ai Qian suddenly became agitated. Her eyes narrowed, and her suppressed voice remained shrill. "You must be doing it for me! The one you've always liked is me! You're lying!"

Jiang Chen remained silent.

He understood that her intense reaction wasn't because of deep feelings for him.

It was like a dog that had always wagged its tail only at him, suddenly abandoning him to please someone else; anyone would find it difficult to accept.

"We have already turned the page. You have a new beginning, and I must start a new life as well."

Jiang Chen's tone was peaceful, devoid of anger, yet it carried a suffocating sense of finality.

Ai Qian's eyes fluctuated violently as she stared at him fixedly.

To prefer wealth over poverty was human nature; there was nothing wrong with pursuing a better material life.

But clearly, having switched to a wealthy new boyfriend, Ai Qian was not that happy, which was why she remained "obsessed" with Jiang Chen.

The whole school knew this young man was her simp, and she believed Jiang Chen would always be good to her and would never betray her. But reality had dealt her a resounding slap in the face.

"Heh, Jiang Chen, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? You hate me, you hate that I abandoned you. But what did I do wrong? Liang Zhenlun is richer than you and generous to me. Why can't I choose him? Why should I suffer with you?"

Ai Qian clenched her fists, the veins on the backs of her hands bulging.

"I never said you were wrong, and I have never blamed you, have I?"

Facing Jiang Chen's indifferent gaze, Ai Qian's voice faltered, and she pursed her lips tightly.

That was true.

From beginning to end, whether being dumped or being constantly used, Jiang Chen had never uttered a word of complaint.

It was precisely because of this that she found his sudden "change of heart" so difficult to accept.

"Then why are you pursuing Li Shuirui? Do you think she'll ever look at you? Give up that idea! What do you think you are? Even if she were willing to be with you, could you afford to support her?! Let me tell you, you aren't even worthy of carrying her shoes!"

Jealousy, embarrassment, and the rage of perceived betrayal had made the girl somewhat hysterical, her beautiful face twisting slightly.

Jiang Chen remained unmoved, his face as calm as still water, as if the person being insulted were not him.

His mind was filled with the memories of his time with this girl.

It had all been a fleeting dream.

At that moment, the bell rang.

The teacher walked into the classroom.

Jiang Chen turned his head and looked toward the podium.

"Ai Qian, we should both look forward."

(End of Chapter)